A 9-year-old boy was hospitalized in stable condition after being struck by a Mardi Gras float, and a police officer responding to the call suffered a broken leg when he slipped on revelers' beads in incidents that brought the Krewe of Bacchus parade on Sunday (March 2) to a halt for nearly 35 minutes, officials said.
NOPD spokesman Officer Garry Flot said the child was struck by a trailer that was an extension of a Bacchus float, suffering bruising to the abdomen. The incident occurred about 7:20 p.m. near St. Charles Avenue and Conery Street.
New Orleans EMS spokeswoman Liz Belcher said the boy was transported to Interim LSU Public Hospital and was in stable condition.
Flot said an NOPD officer hurrying to the scene of the boy's injury slipped on Mardi Gras beads and suffered a broken leg. The officer was not immediately identified.
The Bacchus parade was stopped for nearly 35 minutes as the two were treated and transported. The parade restarted at about 7:55 pm.
Stay with NOLA.com for more details as they develop.
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wwltv.com
Posted on March 2, 2014 at 8:34 PM
WWLTV.com
Email: webteam@wwltv.com | Twitter: @WWLTV
NEW ORLEANS -- A 9-year-old boy is recovering after he was hit by a trailer behind a float in the Krewe of Bacchus parade Sunday night.
It happened near the intersection of St. Charles and Washington avenues at about 7:20 p.m. The accident delayed the parade for about 35 minutes.
According to NOPD spokesman Officer Garry Flot, the boy "was struck by a trailer behind the float that was part of the float."
The boy is in the hospital, where he is alert and is receiving treatment for a bruised abdomen.
An NOPD officer responding to the accident slipped on beads and broke his leg, Flot said.
Why didn't nobody get the MEMO? JUST WHO is or are the idiots kidding?
wwltv.com
Posted on February 24, 2014 at 5:46 PM
Updated Tuesday, Feb 25 at 7:13 AM
NEW ORLEANS - The fire department is doubling its efforts to make sure every Mardi Gras parade rider is wearing the required safety harness on their float.
This comes a day after two riders from the Krewe of Alla fell into the street during Sunday's parade. It's the NOFD's responsibility to make sure all floats have city approved safety tethers for every rider and other safety equipment such as fire extinguishers and ladders.
"In this case it's one of those situations where it really comes down to a personal responsibility," said New Orleans Fire Superintendent Tim McConnell. "This is a situation, much like a seat belt in a car. If you have it, you have to use it."
Krewe of Alla President Frank Borne says his injured riders are doing much better. One was treated at the hospital Sunday and released and the other left the hospital Monday morning with no permanent injuries.
Borne admits one of them was not wearing the required safety harness and fell off the upper deck of his float near Lee Circle.
"People want to throw lots of stuff to family and friends, just in the heat of the moment (he) went over," said Borne. "Of course, the fall would have been prevented if he would have had the harness on."
He says the other rider was wearing the safety device. "But, may have slipped out or may not have been secured properly," said Borne.
Chief McConnell says accidents such as riders falling from floats are preventable if every rider wears a tether. He also says NOFD members will continue to conduct inspections before every parade to ensure that all floats and trucks follow safety standards and all safety protocols are in place.
"Some of the Carnival organizations have actually reached out to us today and said, 'look, would you come talk to my krewe, we're having our final meeting before the parade event,'" said McConnell.
Meanwhile, Alla officials pledge to be more careful next year. "We'll be educating constantly and demonstrating how the harness should be fastened and our float lieutenants will have to ensure that every person stays in them," said Borne. Borne encourages other parade organizations to do the same.
Mardi Gras parades attract large crowds and pose dangers that can easily be avoided, authorities said.
“We understand that in the festivities people can get carried away with excitement and do things out of the ordinary,” Thibodaux Police spokesman David Melancon said. “We’re going to do everything we can to work with the people in this community to keep them safe. We just ask that they use common sense.”
Parade-goers can get hurt by getting too close to a passing float, Houma Police Chief Todd Duplantis said. The float can roll over a foot or, even worse, pull a person under.
Barricades will be set up at certain points along parade routes in Houma to keep viewers out of harm’s way, he said.
“Float riders have been advised not to throw to parade viewers who have crossed the barricades. Viewers should stay on the proper side of barricades, and when there are no barricades, please stay at a safe distance from floats and parade marchers,” Duplantis said.
Parade-goers also are asked not to sit, stand on or put their arms, hands or legs through the barricades.
Barricades will be in place in downtown Thibodaux and at Nicholls State University.
“Do not jump or hang on the floats. Never get in front of a float or between a float and the motorized vehicle towing it,” Melancon said.
Other general safety tips include parking in well-lit areas, leaving valuables at home and traveling in pairs.
Keeping children safe at parades is of particular importance, authorities said.
It’s against the law in Terrebonne to put anyone older than 6 in your arms, back or shoulders within 10 feet of a carnival float or other parade-goers, Duplantis said.
Parents are urged to teach their children to alert the nearest officer along the route if they get separated from the adults, Melancon said.
Anyone drinking alcohol should make arrangements to get home safely from parades.
“You definitely want a designated driver. Have your transportation scheduled before the parade starts,” Melancon said.
Staff Writer Jordan Gribble
can be reached at 857-2208 or jordan.gribble@houmatoday.com.
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